UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State Mallet Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble I will present a concert at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Music Building's Esber Recital Hall, University Park.
The program features the world premiere of Aiding and Abetting by composer and percussionist Brett Dietz, commissioned for the Penn State Percussion Ensemble. The performance also includes graduate student Jaren Angud as timpani soloist in Apparitions, composed by University of Michigan emeritus professor Michael W. Udow.
The ensembles are conducted by Penn State percussion professor Dan C. Armstrong. Admission is free.
Mallet Ensemble
-- The Path of His Beloved (from Rakastava), Jean Sibelius, arranged by Dan C. Armstrong
-- Edge of the World, Nathan Daughtrey
-- Aquarium (from Carnival of the Animals), Camille Saint-Säens, arranged by Matt Moore
-- Island Spinning, Rich O’Meara
-- Circus Bee, Henry Fillmore, arranged by Brandon Dittgen
Percussion Ensemble I
-- Angels of the Apocalypse, David R. Gillingham
-- Rain Tree, Toru Takemitsu
-- Aiding and Abetting, Brett Dietz (World Premiere)
-- Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum, Claude Debussy, arranged by Michael A. Hernandez
-- Apparitions, Michael W. Udow (Jaren Angud, timpani)
Jaren Angud is a New-Jersey based percussionist/drummer who holds a bachelor’s degree from Rowan University where he studied percussion and education with Dean Witten and Jim Miller. As a performer, he regularly freelances with various musical groups in the Philadelphia, Delaware, and New Jersey area. He served as the principal percussionist of the Philadelphia Wind Symphony during their 2011-12 concert season. He has also performed with the Haddonfield Symphony, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra, and the Nittany Valley Symphony. As an educator, Jaren has extensive experience as a private studio teacher and percussion instructor for high school marching bands in the New Jersey area.
The Penn State Mallet Ensemble performs music either written for or arranged for mallet-played keyboard percussion instruments and consists of three to eight players. Literature ranges from transcribed orchestral and chamber music to contemporary compositions written specifically for mallet ensemble. Enrollment is by audition with the conductor.
Percussion Ensemble I performs a variety of music written for four to 12 players, including contemporary music written for percussion as well as arrangements. Instrumentation includes all types of percussion, from familiar drums and cymbals to exotic items from around the world. Through participation, students learn the art of ensemble performing and augment their understanding of the role of percussion within the discipline of music. They also learn the skills of organization and cooperation through rehearsal and performance. The ensembles have appeared frequently at the Music Educators National Conference and Pennsylvania Music Educators Association conferences. Enrollment is by audition with the conductor.